Detachable shovel-blade



(No Model.)

Z. H. SMITH.

DETAGHABLE SHOVEL BLADE.

Patented Sept. 7, 1886.

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mk i7esses m (azflm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ZVVINGLE H. SMITH, OF FRANKSVILLE, IVISCONSIN.

DETACHABLE SHOVEL-BLADE.

:SPBCIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,794, dated September '7, 1886.

Application filed February 6, 1886. Serial No. 190,984. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZWINGLE H. SMITH, of Franksville, in the county of Racine, and in the State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in De tachable Shovel-Blades; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to forks and shovels, and has for its object to provide a shield or shovel-blade capable of being detachably secured to an ordinary stable-fork; and my invention consists in certain peculiarities of construction, whereby the above object is attained, as will be hereinafter described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view representing my detachable blade in the form of a scoop and operatively connected to a fork; Fig. 2, a similar View showing the blade in the form of an ordinary shovel. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of another form of my blade; Fig. 4, a transverse section of my blade, and Fig. 5 a vertical section of the same.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A represents my detachable blade, which is preferably made from a single piece of sheet metal in either shovel or scoop form. That portion a of the metal designed to form the back of the blade is preferably -shaped,. and being bent around to position is welded at b to the main or front portion, 0, of said blade, thus forming a solid point to receive the usual Wear and prevent the parts from separating by such wear, as would be otherwise the case were this welding omitted.

At (1, I usually rivet the parts a and a; but, if desirable, the opposing outer edges of said parts may be welded together. The vertical arm of the -shaped back portion of the blade is united to the front portion, a, by riveted braces e, the latter also serving as bearings for the horizontal arm f of a fork having the usual handle, B, the tines f of said fork extending down into the space 9 between the parts a c. The inner tines of the fork fit between the rivetedbraces ee, and the outer tines are respectivelylocated on the outside of said braces.

To the vertical arm of the J -shaped back a are secured springs h h, that come over the arm f of the fork to retain the latter in operative position with relation to the blade A. The free ends of the springs It h are so shaped as to be forced back by the insertion of the fork into the space 9, thereby rendering the coupling of the parts a simple and easy operation.

In Fig. 3 I show the blade A as having its back portion composed of a horizontal strip, '5, and vertical side strips, 1 the latter having the springs h h riveted thereto.

This form of my invention is more particularly applicable for attachment to ordinary shovels as well as forks, and hence I prefer to make the same in the shape of a scoop, so, as to provide such an implement without any great additional cost.

The fork shown in connection with my device is similar to those generally termed inanure-forks, and to this class of forks my invention is especially applicable.

By the construction above described I provide a simple, easily manufactured, and cheap blade, capable of being detachably connected to an ordinary fork to serve the purpose of a shovel, and this blade can be made of various patterns and placed upon the market for sale as an independent article.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A shield or shovel-blade formed from a single piece of sheet metal, having part thereof bent around to form a back, and welded to the front portion at the point, and suitable springs secured to said back portion, as set forth.

2. The combination, with a fork having a handle, 13, of the shield or shovel-blade A, constructed to engage the fork and provided with springs h h, adapted to retain said parts. in operative position, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I 5 have hereunto setmy hand, at the city of Racine, in the county of Racine and State of \Visconsin, in the presence of two witnesses.

ZWINGLE H. SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

J. E. DODGE, JOHN DONALD. 

